In a powerful display of alumni-led biotech investment fund and translational entrepreneurship, Dr. Uday Saxena (MSc – Biochemistry 1978-1980) and Dr. Markandeya Gorantla (SRF and PhD Plant Sciences 1999-2004), distinguished alumni of the University of Hyderabad, and co-founders of the Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund, have signed a term sheet to fund Utopia Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd., an early-stage deep-tech startup. This significant announcement was made at the BIO International Convention 2025 held in Boston on 19th June, 2025.
The Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund, which counts the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) as a knowledge partner and is supported by Prof. Reddanna Pallu and Dr. Ratnakar Palakodeti, showcases the impactful contributions of University of Hyderabad alumni Dr. Uday Saxena and Dr. Markandeya Gorantla, to the global biotech landscape. The signing took place in the presence of Dr. Jitendra Kumar, Managing Director of BIRAC, alongside key leaders from ABLE and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
The Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund is set to commit over USD 1.5 million in cumulative support to Utopia Therapeutics. This crucial funding will propel the development of Utopia’s lead asset, UT009, a first-in-class vaccine designed to combat obesity and Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Additionally, the investment will bolster Utopia’s pipeline of UT18-based regenerative health products, supporting infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities, and go-to-market strategies.
Dr. Jitendra Kumar, MD, BIRAC stated, “This partnership reflects the strength of India’s translational biotech ecosystem. A vaccine for metabolic disorders and a regenerative product pipeline coming out of India and entering global markets demonstrates the scientific depth and entrepreneurial maturity that BIRAC has consistently fostered. It’s especially heartening to witness this in my presence. I’m happy to see that some of the companies now being funded by Whale Tank were previously supported by BIRAC. This is a great enabling system — and we’ve always envisioned such investor-driven support for Indian deep-tech science.”
Dr. Uday Saxena, Co-Founder of Utopia Therapeutics Pvt. Ltd said, “We were deeply impressed by Utopia’s science and clarity of purpose. The UT18 platform has shown multi-tissue regenerative potential, and with Whale Tank’s support, we are investing not just in products, but in a future of preventive and regenerative health.”
This collaboration represents a significant milestone for India’s maturing biotech investment landscape, and innovative product discovery and development, exemplifying how scientific innovation, strategic capital, and experienced mentorship, particularly from institutions like the University of Hyderabad, can converge through a national innovation pipeline with global ambition.
Co-founded by University of Hyderabad alumni Dr. Uday Saxena and Dr. Markandeya Gorantla, with FABA as a knowledge partner, the Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund focuses on identifying and investing in early-stage deep-tech startups in the biotech sector, fostering innovation, mentorship and translational entrepreneurship.
The Whale Tank Biocatalyst Fund’s portfolio includes a diverse range of innovative companies, showcasing India’s push for bio-strategic sovereignty and investments in critical areas for human and environmental health.
These include:
* ATGC Biotech: Specializing in semiochemicals and sustainable pest control.
* Utopia Therapeutics: Developing preventive vaccines for chronic diseases.
* NexaSweet™ under Whale Tank: Focused on regenerative nutrition and gut health.
* Revelations Biotech: Innovating with natural sweeteners, functional fibers, and synthetic biology for global wellness.
* Bharat Advanced Therapeutics (BAT) & AACT Inc.: Providing low-cost precision oncology solutions.
* ATREVA: Specializing in biocontrols and post-pesticide agriculture peptides, dsRNA, and baculoviruses.
* GreeSynZyme: Driving green chemistry and biocatalysis initiatives.
Each portfolio company is either a direct invention or a co-licensed technology integrated into a shared biomanufacturing and regulatory backbone – ATGC Innovation Square. This centralized execution model enables economies of scale, cross-pollination of IP, and rapid deployment across India, USA, LATAM, Africa, and Israel.